Bonjour (Hello!) from France

[tirpassion]

Bonjour, Hello everybody,

A brief introduction about me. 'Tir' = Shooting in French, passion is the same for everybody here. Hence my pseudonym.

I am an NRI living in Paris. I am into shooting since November 2006. I shoot air pistol and Black Powder muzzleloading handguns (percussion revolver, percussion pistol, flintlock pistol and matchlock pistol).

I am an average shooter in AP (highest score being 551/600 in official match and 559/600 in the local club level friendly match) with possibilities of improvement. I have never made it to the Nationals here (minimum official score of 560/600 is needed to have the top 100 quota places) in AP.
I am a National level shooter in the Black Powder handguns in France with the best performance of the 6th place this year in the French National Championships in the Replica revolver event. This gives me the possibility to participate in the Master's event next year which is also the French national team selection criterion.
Unluckily, I can not be a part because I am an Indian by nationality (and I am not ready to shun my Indian citizenship) and India is not a member of the MLAIC (Muzzle Loaders Associations International Committee).

I am also an entry level 'Initiator' as they call it in France (I do not want to insult the word coach because I am lightyears away from that level) for beginners in shooting to guide them to the Regional level of official competitions. I have a French Shooting Federation certificate for that (Brevet Federal d'Initiateur). Hence, I try to take care of the beginners in our club where I am an office bearer also (Office bearers = a group of volunteers who seem to find time anyhow) .

I follow this forum since some time now. I have been a silent watcher and reader. This is my first post.

Warm regards from Paris (although it is quite cold now)

[dr.jayakumar]

welcome friend,
nice to know you.
can you post pics of your muzzle loaders,would love to see them.
regards

[xl_target]

Welcome to IFG.
Hearty congratulations in placing in the nationals.
Would love to see photos of your muzzle loading handguns.

[jonahpach]

Hello Tir,
Welcome to the forum. Looks like you are having more fun than the average joe here so whassup that side of the world.

Jonah

[Katana]

Hello Tir,

Pleasure to have you here. Tir/ Teer is also Hindi for arrow. Pretty apt handle for a place like this.

It would be great to have your knowledge on muzzle loading firearms as there are few of us into these here.

[MoA]

Tir,

Where abouts are you shooting? Versailles?
Haven't seemed to have run into you, since I shoot at Versailles quite a bit.
Your nationality is not an issue in entering the Nationals, Residency status is. Ask me how I know.
What revolver are you using for competition? A Roger Spencer or something else? I to the amusement of my fellow competitors use a Walker with full loads.
I am assuming you are also a member of FFTIR?
MoA?

[tirpassion]

No, I am in USM Malakoff. Where are you MoA?
I go to TN Versailles specially for the 'Départementaux' & 'Régionnaux' des Armes Anciennes every year. Obviouly also for all the 'Stages de formation'.
If you are in to 'Armes Anciennes' (muzzleloaders), we must have seen each other without knowing.

regards

[tirpassion]

Thanks for your welcome messages. I will take some time out this week to post a few pictures of my muzzleloaders.
keep cool and be happy, always!

[MoA]

No, I am in USM Malakoff. Where are you MoA?
I go to TN Versailles specially for the 'Départementaux' & 'Régionnaux' des Armes Anciennes every year. Obviouly also for all the 'Stages de formation'.
If you are in to 'Armes Anciennes' (muzzleloaders), we must have seen each other without knowing.

regards

Aube.

I shoot in the Aube competitions mostly, Armes anciennes in ML and Mettalic Cartrige (Revolver and Rifle), TAR and Benchrest. Versailles is mostly for 300M BR and TAR.

[tirpassion]

Hello Katana,
It is nice to know that there are Muzzleloader shooters in India. I did not even dream of it. Please let me know more about you all.
best regards

[TC]

Welcome Tirpassion.

Great to have a black powder buff in IFG. It is an awesome hobby to pursue. My best wishes

Regards

TC

[tirpassion]

Hello TC,
From which club are you in Kolkata? My origins, my heart and soul lie in the city
regards

[Katana]

Tir,

I did not mean to say that I myself practice muzzle loading firearm shooting. What I implied was that there are a lot of muzzle loaders and people who shoot them in the interiors and rural areas of our country.

I do know quite a few people who keep muzzle loaders (or ML Guns in official parlance) in my area but they have a serious impediment. You see, they are not familiar with the English language! So, it would be difficult for them to share their knowledge with us through this medium. I have seen some of them even make their own lead balls and gun powder, the recipes being handed down orally per generation. Also the most of the guns are probably antiquated :)dating to a generation or two before the current owners.

[Prabhath]

Welcome aboard.

[TC]

Hi Tirpassion,

Great to know that you are from Calcutta and your heart is still here.
I have been a member of South Calcutta Rifle Club since childhood... But I am not into competitions... I just nourish my passion for guns and blades....

TC